High Noon, the popular hard seltzer brand, has announced a recall of certain 12-packs of its vodka seltzers due to a significant supply chain error that led to the accidental inclusion of alcoholic beverages mislabeled as Celsius energy drinks.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed on Wednesday that the affected beach variety packs were distributed to retailers in several states, including Florida, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin, between July 21 and July 23.
According to the FDA, some packs contained cans of High Noon vodka seltzer that were not properly labeled and instead bore the labels of CELSIUS ASTRO VIBE Energy Drink, specifically the Sparkling Blue Razz Edition, known for its adventurous marketing inspired by space exploration.
The incident raises concerns as consumers who intended to enjoy a mix of fruity alcoholic drinks may have inadvertently consumed a beverage with an entirely different purpose, leading to confusion over caffeine content and alcohol presence.
The mix-up occurred due to a third-party packaging supplier, which mistakenly sent empty cans of the Celsius energy drink to High Noon’s production facility.
High Noon subsequently filled these cans with vodka seltzer, unknowingly packaging them into their variety packs.
Celsius has stated that it is cooperating with the packaging supplier and High Noon’s parent company, Gallo, to thoroughly investigate the situation and determine how such an error occurred.
Krista Fontana, a spokesperson for Gallo, emphasized that they are working alongside the FDA, retailers, and distributors to manage the recall effectively, prioritizing consumer safety.
So far, no illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported in relation to this recall, which involves two specific production lots identified by their lot codes.
Consumers are advised to check the lot codes on the top of the High Noon boxes, specifically L CCC 17JL25 14:00 to L CCC 17JL25 23:59, and L CCC 18JL25 00:00 to L CCC 18JL25 03:00.
In light of the situation, Celsius is urging customers to inspect all cans of the Sparkling Blue Razz flavor of their Astro Vibe energy drink, even those not purchased in the mixed packs.
Customers should look for silver lids or specific lot codes on the bottom of cans: L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to L CCB 02JL25 3:11, which indicate that the product may be affected.
In view of the confusion surrounding the energy beverage’s caffeine content, Celsius is warning consumers against consuming any affected beverages that might contain alcohol without their knowledge.
The FDA has directed customers who have unknowingly purchased the affected products to refrain from consuming them and instead to reach out to High Noon Consumer Relations via email at [email protected] for guidance on next steps, which may include refunds.
The incident highlights a growing concern over product mislabeling in the beverage industry, particularly as brands become increasingly popular.
Celsius drinks, containing substantial amounts of caffeine—between 200 and 270 milligrams—have garnered a dedicated following among fitness enthusiasts and younger consumers.
Celsius has even been spotted within the halls of Congress, where it is sold in vending machines and enjoyed by lawmakers, further solidifying its position as a trendy beverage.
On the other hand, High Noon hard seltzers, which boast real fruit juice and 4.5% ABV, have rapidly gained popularity since their launch in 2019, becoming one of the top-selling spirit brands in the U.S. by 2022.
As both Celsius and High Noon continue their investigations, consumers are reminded to stay vigilant and ensure they know the products they are purchasing, especially in the case of mixed packs that can cause inadvertent mix-ups.
image source from：npr
